Thursday, August 19, 2021

Hot, steamy August

Hello Folks, sorry I've not been posting, the summer doldrums have been here for a couple of months now. It is hot and steamy and I just feel like hibernating in the a.c. Thank you to those who have reached out to see how I'm doing. I work outside early mornings when I feel like it, I do grocery shopping, go to church, and am always glad to get back home. I'm a homebody at heart. I have done some crocheting also, but am taking a break from that now as I completed a 31" square comfort blanket over a period of 6 days in between doing other things. My hands and wrist were aching when I finished. Crocheting for hours at a time will do that and I wanted to get this finished and delivered.


 I started this post a few days ago. I've had a hard time with being motivated about doing anything. This past year and a half has been 'off' for so many of us. What I've been going through is nothing compared to what others have had to endure and my heart and prayers go out for them. Now we have this whole  Afghanistan fiasco which is horrible & evil.

Yet through all of this I believe in Jesus, our sovereign God who is with all who believe in Him. I believe he is working through all of the bad to bring about ultimate good. I am looking forward to His coming again, and until then I want to live graciously, thankfully and to be able to help others as I can.

 I've had up and down days, more ups than downs and for that I am thankful for. Thankful to God and thankful to others who have lended a helping hand either physically, monetarily, prayerfully, or with encouragement.

I dream about my dear husband a LOT. Some are of us working together on projects, or just being together doing things, which is always a bummer to wake up from and he's not here. Sometimes I might get a message, which happened a couple of weeks ago. I didn't remember much of the dream, except he was bedridden and I could only remember a little of what he said to me. It was this, "all ye who hope in Christ." In the dream I hugged and kissed him and told him that his sharing things like that with me was just one of the reasons why I love him. I googled that portion of scripture to find out what the rest of it was and it was this. "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord."

I love the way Jesus encourages me throughout my widowhood journey. It happens through family and friends, the Bible, devotional readings, music, and his beautiful creation. He is there for any of us, he wants a relationship with us and all we have to do is open our hearts to him. 

For my pulled back muscle, I finally broke down and looked up and found a great little massage center. I went to 90 minutes as I really needed to be kneaded good and long. It's cheaper in the long run and 30 min just wouldn't have been enough, 60 min always leaves me wanting more.  As it was, this wonderful lady who worked on me would have liked to work on me more but she had other clients to see. It was a time of release, release from stress for the past year and a half, bottled up tears flowed and I felt so much better when I left there. A week or so later I received a check and note from a sweet friend who said she wanted to help with my getting a massage. That brought joy, thankfulness and more tears. Our God is awesome.

I still couldn't do much after that treatment, as I had to relax and heal. My friend Wendy came and weedwacked my grassy areas and what a blessing that was!! Afterwards I would walk around smiling, so wonderful to have that taken care of and I didn't have to do it. She did a fantastic job and just whipped around the property. She's done this kind of thing for years. She volunteered to help me and has in so many ways.

I have mowed, trimmed hedges, etc. our whole married life, and enjoy it, but last Dec I tripped and fell and badly sprained my right wrist, then pulling this back muscle put a crimp in my style. I have an electric mower, an electric weedwacker. The heavy 100' cord for using the mower has been harder to deal with but I just take my time. After Wendy had weedwacked she asked me if I ever would use a battery operated mower. I said yes and that I had thought about one but that they were more expensive than the electric. (Gas powered is too noisy, smelly, and harder for me to pull the crank rope to start.) She said she would look into it. Here's how the driveway area looked before.


Here she is hard at work.




After





Then on the 11th of this month she and her husband gifted me with a new battery powered mower. Oh my goodness, what a joy to use, easier on me, quicker too and it works great!!! I've used it twice now, and was going to do it again this morning but it rained.

This year has been filled with so much help, my neighbor having the tree cut down in my property that was near the fencing and dropping a gazillion seed pods on us both, his giving money to help with replacing privacy fencing between our two places. Juvenal coming and working at hauling scrap metal to the scrap yard (he got the proceeds), 18 pick up truck loads, and he did a lot of tree trimming as well. Then Sean and Stan did fencing work, Sean has done major tree trimming with more to do yet. For this I am so thankful, more than words can say.

The temps lately have been awful! In the 90's with it feeling like l04-106 and humidity really thick. It's like being in a sauna. I can't handle being out in that. Today I decided to take a break from working in my overgrown main garden area. The paths were nowhere to be seen, and I have made forward progress, it will get done all in good time.

Now, here are some flowers to enjoy. Crepuscule are the peachy blooms, sweet scent, and the pink one is Miss Atwood.



This is an orchid that just bloomed for the first time. I've had it several years, but recently moved it to a different location.



Fresh bay leaves picked from my bay tree. I bought it for $1 many, many years ago and it was about 6" tall, I had to trim it back as it was over 6 ft and leaning into the walkway. I dried them like this for a few days now they are in a zip lock bag.

 
I didn't feel like making pizza crust dough in my bread machine, and used flour tortillas instead. I just might do this all of the time. Fresh picked basil from my plant, cooked Italian sausage,  green olives stuffed with jalapeƱo peppers, mozzarella cheese, then parmesan sprinkled on top.


This is a night blooming cereus cactus. This is the first bloom since the dead pine that it was growing at the top of, came down in wind. It is supposed to be scented, but I've not  noticed a scent in all of the years that we had it. These pics were taken the morning after it had bloomed so it was on its way to closing up.




Here is a little you-tube slideshow of this orchid that bloomed on our front gate arch Sept. 29, 2012, the last project dear hubby and I worked on together. He went to be with our Great Creator of this bloom, on Dec. 9, 2012.


This is purple sage.


Beautiful sunrise clouds one morning.

 
Friends, Nanci and John gave me gift $ and this is what I bought from Harbor Freight. It came in a box, was pretty heavy and I had to put it together. I thought this would work better for me than a wheel barrow. The front wheels swivel. It took me about 30 minutes or so to put it together.


I will end this photo session with a pic of my Swootie Patootie, Miss Tork. She's snoozing where my feet usually rest. I had several crochet projects going on at once as you can see.

Ok, that's it for now. I pray that you all are doing well, and for those who are not, I pray that you will soon be better whatever you're circumstances are. Call out to God, he hears, and he works. Put your trust in Him, His name is Jesus.

Love, hugs and prayers,

FlowerLady

18 comments:

Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm said...

Dear Raney, there are no surprises to God although I am, quite often, flummoxed. Life hasn't changed all that much for me nor for any other farmers I know. We all have to do what we do and mask wearing in this heat isn't healthy nor done. The heat index has been, at the highest, 115 and quite often 110 and it's almost impossible to draw a deep breath. Like you, I stay inside as much as possible but venture out late afternoon to do chores.
I've begun going to a chiropractor and he's has worked Miracles! The other good side is Medicare covers the sessions but they didn't cover the massage visits so I've cut out the massage visits.
What a delight Wendy and her husband have been; thank God for His blessings and gifts of good friends! I am envious of your bay tree! Your pizza tortillas are brilliant! I may very well use those as well. As for your little wagon...you're brilliant for putting it together. Stuff like that doesn't make sense to me and takes me days so I usually just ask someone else for help. Miss Tork looks a delight and I've new one sleeping at my feet, a post to come. Take care and I agree, cast our cares upon Jesus for He cares for us. Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm

Ann said...

Your crocheted blanket is beautiful. What a blessing to have someone come and help with the yard work. I had to give up trying to mow and now pay a landscaper to come and mow for me. I hate having to pay but they do a fantastic job.
Your pizza looks delicious

Vee said...

The colors in your crocheted piece are wonderful. I take it that it was a gift. The yard looks wonderful opened up that way. Your friends are such a blessing. I have a new battery operated lawnmower, also red, that makes life a lot easier. I do most of my own mowing these days. So easy to start, no fumes, and not loud. It was a gift from my daughter. What a special dream you had of your husband sharing a deep truth with you. Thank you for posting and here's to cooler weather. Saying a prayer for good health.

Carolyn said...

Oh so glad you're back and doing well! I am also a Christian widow and can understand all the responsibilities you have! I loved doing yard work but now live in a condo, so I watch others doing it! You are certainly blessed with many wonderful friends, so happy for you. Continue healing!

Ruth Hiebert said...

It is wonderful to hear how others are being such a blessing in your life. The kind of heat you describe would literally make me sick. Oh, I so enjoy your lovely flowers. Flowers have been all non-existent around here due to severe drought.

GretchenJoanna said...

You do need to keep on top of things there, where all the plants LOVE to GROW!! So it's fantastic that you have so many helpful friends -- and now a new mower. Glory to God!

Thank you for all the pictures which always enrich my days. The flowers are like an infusion of God's life, so beautiful they are, bursting with sweetness and color.

I also have felt that I accomplish so little, and the situation isn't improving, because as you say, there are more trials and troubles to distress all the time and it is hard not to be distracted by them, even when the weather and the old body aren't disabling enough.

Thank you for persevering. We ARE persevering in faith, even when we are sitting more quietly in our houses, bringing our hearts, again and again, back to prayer. God bless you, Lorraine! <3

Melanie said...

I haven't blogged in a long time either. Like you, just not in the mood lately. Always good to see a post from you though.

Believe it or not, we get your kind of heat and humidity here in northwest IL in the summers. It doesn't last long - a few days or up to a week here and there - but it sure isn't fun. Today was in the 90's with the heat index and the thick, moist air. Didn't do any yard work but I did run some errands.

You are very blessed to have such wonderful friends and I'm glad you treated yourself to a long massage for your back, too.

Hugs,
Melanie

Lynn and Precious said...

Lorraine, so glad to see your post. What wonderful friends to help just when it is needed most. A new easy to start lawn mower! Fantastic. I really like the blanket pattern you used. And great fun colors. Glad you are doing well and just having to endure the heat and humidity this time of year. Just don't get hurt anymore. Miss Tork looks lovely as always. And there are no words that can tell how beautiful your flowers are. Lynn and Precious

amontanalife.blogspot.com said...

Hello! So good to see you are alive and kicking. Glad you are staying well. Take care. Love, KK

Anne Payne said...

Oh Rainey! Your video made me cry. The Orchid is so lovely and made me think of how people in lives "bloom for a season" and then are gone. I still my daughter so incredibly much. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful creation of our Lord!!!
I often make pizza on tortillas but I smear a little canned spaghetti sauce on there first (just a tad, maybe a tablespoon or two) and it doesn't make it soggy either, adds a nice little touch. I use fresh spinach instead of bay leaves as I don't grow bay.
I'm glad to hear how you've been. {{hugs}}

Debra said...

I loved your post. Especially your message from your husband. I have had such beautiful dreams that are from God. Just a small message or a few words-but they have meant so much to me.I still have my sweet hubby, but I do empathize with you-I know Jesus is watching over you. God bless you and keep you.

Betty said...

Always a blessing to see your blog. The orchids was beautiful as was the music, God bless you and miss tork

Terra said...

Rainey, your post was full of rather cheery things. Your friend did a great job in whacking weeds, you now have a battery charged mower, and that orchid is spectacular. The colors in your crochet project are dreamy. Jesus gives me such joy, as you mentioned he does to you too. His love is offered and some of us say Yes. We are blessed.

Olde Dame Holly said...

Your blog is a blessing to all who read it! Comforting, helpful, beautiful, a feeling that someone else understands getting the posting doldrums, a place of hope! I am glad the massage is helping your back. What good friends you have, too! That's a wonderful help.

M.K. said...

Hello, dear friend. Glad you are surviving both summer and Covid down there, as we are trying to survive them up here. We never ever dreamed we'd still be dealing with this kind of Covid scare at this point. And August has been just horrible -- such humidity! It feels like it's lasted about 3 months!

Your wonderful friend did such a lovely job on your lawn! And look at that gorgeous mower. So much kindness. I'm glad you have that kind of support.

May you feel uplifted and treasured.

Morning's Minion said...

It has been good to read your catch-up post. I think so many of us have been drained by the on-going changes created by the Covid crisis--and we don't make the effort to record the little details of our lives. The aging process isn't always encouraging at the best of times and changes what we can accomplish.
We need to celebrate the joys--flowers, wildlife, the work of our hands, kind deeds, our faith.
Thank you for your lovely photos.

Red Rose Alley said...

Lorraine, your posts always leave me smiling. I'm glad you're doing Ok, and you've had much help from neighbors and friends. Your living reminds me of mine somehow up here in the mountains, and I chuckled at the weed eater, cause that's the only thing I still have to learn to do. I keep my front porch area washed down, and tend to the little garden in the front of my house, but my whole front yard area is woods. My brother said he would put lawn in at some point, but the water usage would be enormous, as I'm on a big corner lot, and I like the look of the woods. It's just those pesky squirrels that bother me. Your home looks much better after your friend, Wendy, graciously weeded it. That's such a nice mower too. And the pizzas made with flour tortillas and basil and Italian sausage look Yummy. I love tortillas too cause they are filling and don't cost much. The dream you had about your husband was so special, and thank you for sharing that. I needed to hear the special words myself.

It was a hot Summer here in the mountains, but it's starting to get cooler and looking forward to seeing what Fall is like here. Take care, Marilyn, and this was such a wonderful post in so many ways.

~Sheri

A Joyful Cottage said...

This is a beautiful post, Lorraine. It's so encouraging to hear of all the wonderful people who have come to your aid, both financially and in service to you. That speaks volumes to God's provision for our needs. As always, you inspire me. I know how difficult it is to maintain a home all by yourself, and yet you do it with grace and thankfulness. You honor the Lord with your life. You are a precious sister in Christ. Great to see a post from you. The video is bittersweet. Lovely and heart wrenching at the same time. The music is so lovely. What, may I ask, is it? Hugs, Nancy